"Old Growth and the Ancient Ones" --by RusticWoodArt

While out Sunday afternoon in the forest here, we (my wife and I) set out to discover some new territory in the surrounding habitat of the woods and I happened to come upon some pines that were growing on an eastern slope of a hill. At the bottom of a ravine I first spotted an old pine that had escaped the logging crews of yesteryear. At first I thought this one was the only one out there, but after looking around and climbing up the hill, I soon started discovering a few more. I must add that one of my pastimes while out in the forest is looking for ‘old growth’ and so I was pleased and rewarded to find these.

When finding these and then writing about them, I never do reveal exact locations, since these have remained intact for ages of ether and so I want them to remain that way much longer. What really surprises me about some of my finds, is the close proximity to well traveled trails. This being the case it just goes to show how much or actually how little folks get out into the woods and if they are out there, then how little they are really seeing what is all around, as this find bears no evidence of human sign.

In finding this one we have long left trails and paths and we are now just striking out by instinct of gut feeling. A lot of ‘old growth’ pine will be found on slopes and in ravines, so by looking at topographic maps and talking to folks in out of way places I can sometimes put together a place to start looking. I might add that along with fall kayaking, one other of my favorites for this time of year is also waundering through the forests looking for animal sign and ‘old growth’.

Old growth and the ‘ancient ones’...., I will come back here soon, as I want to measure this one. When coming upon this pine, here was my first sighting of the ‘ancient one’....and yes, I apologize for this not so good shot….

....and then as I walked around….

....to the other side I also took this photo….

....and then closer up….

....and as I was leaving I turned around and shot this photo. What really makes this an exciting find, is the realization that comes from the knowledge, that at one time, all this that you are seeing here of forest and woods, was cleared fields….

I mentioned before that I have a grove of what I believe to be old growth white pines abot 1/2 mile behind my house. How they survived this long in one of the longest settled parts of the country I don’t know. They are 6-8 feet across at the base. Nothing but ferns grow beneath them. About 40 trees cover perhaps an acre. It is like a cathedral walking amongst them. If I had the $ I’d buy the land just to be sure no one cuts them down to build houses there.

I can see the pics now. Big tree… How old is old growth? Based on what I can see in the surroundings the trees that are near me are substanstially bigger. It’s been awhile since I’ve been back there (new highway cuts off easy access for me) so it may just be my memory exaggerating things but it seems like they could be half again as large. I need to get some photos.

—-Ron; do you ever make it up north into the heart of redwood territory. I’ve wanted and am still wanting to get up there and get lost in there for a couple of weeks. Yes, I also know what you mean about being small compared some of the ‘old growth’ and then one comes to realize what real age is all about. Your trees over there and out west are greater in size and height then we have in New England for the most part….but then I’ve heard some talk about a place up north that I’m hoping to get to this fall. And after all has been done and said….taks care TreeBones....

—-thanks Dennis….

—-hi Ron; yes, I have read his book, I’m just not climbing any more and no, I’m not going ‘treewalking’ as I’m getting to the place where I have to many responsibilities below the redline. Great book, have you read it? I’ve been doing this pastime in the fall for some time now, however I am also ever on the look for the ‘big one’ and so when out traveling around I am all-ways stopping and talking to folks in out of way places. You have to sometimes really disguise what you are asking after, as some folks are suspicious about revealing the places of their kindreds. After all when someone knows and tells an-other, it’s not long before all the looky-lues are tramplin’ all over the place and distrubing the groundwork. Keep those knotty jokes coming….

—-hi Bob; well I’m glad your seeing improved there….LOL! There is an ‘old growth’ grove down your way, not sure I remember the name now though. I’ll find the name on the internet and maybe come down your way this fall or winter and take a recon of the area. The problem is that once it’s made it to the internet, all the armchair explorers are on the ground tearing up the temples of the ‘ancient ones’ and this is usually really disappointing to me. How about some pictures of those behind your house?

Just as a side note, I have some vacation planned in two weeks. Part if it will be visiting the redwood territory to take a few long walks. This need has been inspired by reading your blog. I’ve been out of the woods for too long.

—-yes Rob; you are correct there on the second….As I remember the book also talked about as of yet un-charted and un-discovered areas in the Redwood forests of northern California. Now there is a story to write about, much like those pirate tales you are so adept at un-folding for us, along with your wood finds.

—-hi Wayne; I’m looking forward to hearing some stories of your treks in those woods, also how about some photo’s. From what I have heard over the years, the canopies at the top of the redwoods, is but just the start of an-other world. Watch out for being in the woods for too long though, the dis-ease of inspired imagination is very contagious out there….and I hope your trip turns out ‘very good’.

The grove is sandwiched between an old overgrown cranberry bog and some houses on one side and the new Rte 44 and on the other. It is surrounded by younger forest. I haven’t been over there since the road construction began but I used to walk it frequently with my dog. I never saw any signs of others back there.